To the contrary: A staggering 78 percent of second-generation Hispanic adults say that they believe hard work pays off in success. That’s a higher percentage than the 72 percent of their AsianAmerican counterparts who profess such faith in hard work or indeed the 58 percent of all American adults.

To be sure, second-generation Hispanic immigrants have a way to go to catch up to their non-Hispanic white and Asian American counterparts. Both those groups have higher median household incomes and lower poverty rates than adult Americans as a whole.

But the gap is not as large as some might assume. The median household income for second-generation Hispanic immigrants ($48,400), is only slightly lower than the overall national figure (about $50,000). And the poverty rate for that group of Hispanics (16 percent) is virtually the same as the nation’s (15 percent).

Voting is the cornerstone of democracy!

eLocal worked very hard to create a motion infographic video that covers a great deal of historical information. The infographic is an animated map of the United States illustrating the evolution of our country’s voting rights, presented as a video. As the video progresses, viewers can see highlights of the most interesting and dramatic shifts in voting rights. This video includes major milestones for Hispanics as well as women and African-Americans. Additionally, there is information about the court cases and events that led to these and other major changes in the voting culture of our country. This video is definitely what our Latinos need as an inspiration to vote this November, therefore please distribute it to your networks. Contributors to this video: Eric Opal – Brennan Center of Justice; Professor Alex Keyssar – Harvard University; Al Fuller – History of Half; James Jolly – US History Files and Jessica Marie Gutierrez – thehispanicblog.com.

DID YOU DO YOUR PART? HAS YOUR VOICE BEEN HEARD? HAVE YOU VOTED? ELECTION 2012 BECAUSE YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

The new, stricter voting laws have become an issue in light of this year’s presidential election. (Vox Efx, Creative Commons)

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State Farm is working with Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez to bring you the “State Farm® JLO & Enrique Sweepstakes.” The sweepstakes is an extension of the Enrique Iglesias & Jennifer Lopez Tour that began on July 14, 2012 and hits nearly 20 cities. State Farm will bring one lucky winner to a better state by offering them a trip to Miami to attend a VIP concert and give them the opportunity to meet Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias. Known for their spectacular and engaging stage shows, both Enrique and Jennifer plan to give fans the ultimate summer concert experience. You can follow all the action on Twitter at #EnriqueJLOTour.

My best friends had the opportunity to attend the concert in Washington DC and theynot only loved it but had the most amazing experience! I am jealous that they were able to attend such an incredible event with two LATINO ICONS!!! If you happen to attend, check out the State Farm booths at each concert on the tour, they are setup with different activities going on. At one of the booths you can enter to win the VIP TRIP TO MIAMI, so make sure to swing by and enter if you’re at the show. Who wouldn’t love to meet JLO and Enrique????

If you can’t make it to one of the shows don’t worry, check out the State Farm Latino Facebook Page and you can enter there as well. The sweepstakes began July 20th and ends August 20th so make sure to enter soon so you don’t miss this great opportunity!

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Grace (Eva Mendes) is a single mom. She is too busy juggling work, bills, and and relationships, to give her daughter, Ansiedad (Cierra Ramirez) the attention she desperately needs. When Ansiedad’s English teacher, Ms. Armstrong (Patricia Arquette), introduces her students to classic coming-of-age stories, Ansiedad is inspired to skip adolescence and jump-start her life without mom. While Grace becomes preoccupied with the increasing affections of her co-worker (Eugenio Derbez), Ansiedad enlists the help of her loyal friend, Tavita (Raini Rodriguez), to plot her shortcut to “adulthood”. But as her misguided plan unravels, Ansiedad and Grace must learn that sometimes growing-up means acting your age.

Dove Worldview:

Here is a movie which illustrates that change is possible for anyone who truly wants it. A teenager named Ansiedad lives with her mother Grace, and their relationship is a bit rocky, mainly due to the fact that Grace is having an affair with a married man, works as a waitress at a diner, and is hardly ever home. Yet Ansiedad’s love for her mother is clearly seen when she goes into her mom’s bedroom after Grace gets home late and she lovingly removes her shoes while she sleeps.

When Ansiedad hears her teacher mentioning “coming of age” and “rites of passage” in her class at school, she decides it is time she goes from being a very good student to a time of rebellion. She says, “Being a kid is stupid and I’m moving on.” However, she moves on with some very bad decisions. She sets her goals on hanging out with “bad girls”, ditching her overweight but kind best friend, ignoring her school work, drinking and “maybe” doing drugs. Lastly, she plans on losing her virginity. She even sets her eyes on the guy she wants it to happen with.

Obviously these are themes which are realistically handled in this film yet there is a strong change in the characters by movie’s end, including both Grace and Ansiedad, who “grow up” and form a bond. Without spoiling the ending, Ansiedad learns that being an adult means being responsible and Grace remembers her responsibilities as well. The redemptive theme is strong in this one.

Parents should watch this film with their kids and discuss the various decisions the characters make. Due to the sophisticated themes we are recommending this movie for ages twelve plus. “Girl in Progress” is a film you and your family will care about! And it should be utilized as a teaching tool in making decisions and dealing with consequences. This one is Dove “Family-Approved”. “Girl in Progress” is just that, a story about progress!

Jessica Marie Gutierrez

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STATE RESOURCES TO VOTE

Click on the map to access your state election websites, which include voter guides, registration information and deadlines, absentee and early voting dates, provisional voting information and polling place hours and locations. Many state and local election offices also have social media sites.